Man, son lose home in Bucksport blaze

BUCKSPORT, Maine — A local man and his son escaped unharmed from a fire that destroyed their home late New Year’s day.

According to a report from the Bucksport Fire Department, the call came in at about 11:45 p.m. Thursday, reporting a structure fire at the Chase residence on Russell Hill Road. When the first firefighters arrived on the scene, the mobile home was on fire and the front of the home was collapsing.

Harold Chase and his 12-year-old son were outside the home and were unharmed. They owned two dogs, which have not been found.

Minutes after firefighters arrived, the entire structure collapsed. The home and everything inside was destroyed.

Firefighters were able to knock down the fire within a half-hour, but remained at the scene for about three hours. The severe cold created freezing conditions and safety problems, but did not hamper the firefighting efforts.

No one was injured.

Fire officials believe the fire may have been caused by a malfunction in the furnace, but it remains under investigation.

Thirty firefighters responded to the alarm. Bucksport firefighters were assisted at the scene by crews from the Orland, Orrington and Dedham fire departments and from the Bucksport Public Works Department.